Jijeung of Silla
Encyclopedia
Jijeung of Silla (r. 437–514) was the 22nd ruler of the Korea
n kingdom of Silla
. He is remembered for strengthening royal authority and building Silla into a centralized kingdom.
Like many Silla kings, Jijeung was of royal blood on both sides. His father was the Galmunwang
Kim Seup-bo, who was a grandson of Naemul Isageum
. His mother was Lady Josaeng, the daughter of Nulji Isageum
.
Jijeung began his program of legal reform in 502, when he outlawed the custom of burying servants with their masters. In 503, he formally established the country's name as "Silla," it having previously been represented by a variety of Chinese character
s. At the same time, he took the title of wang, meaning "king"; he had previously borne the native Silla title of maripgan.
Jijeung continued this program in the following years, with a reform of ceremonial dress in 504 and of local administration in 505. In that reform, he incorporated the old territory of Siljik-guk into the Silla administrative system. He established a market in eastern Gyeongju
in 509. In 512, he sent Kim Isabu
to conquer the island nation of Usan-guk
.
After his death, Jijeung received a temple name
, the name by which he is now known. He was the first Silla king to receive a temple name.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n kingdom of Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
. He is remembered for strengthening royal authority and building Silla into a centralized kingdom.
Like many Silla kings, Jijeung was of royal blood on both sides. His father was the Galmunwang
Galmunwang
Galmunwang was a title used in the early period of the Korean kingdom of Silla. Its precise meaning and function are not known. From Korean sources, namely the Samguk Sagi, it would appear that the title of Galmunwang was granted to very high ranking personages in early Silla and was equivalent to...
Kim Seup-bo, who was a grandson of Naemul Isageum
Naemul of Silla
Naemul of Silla was the 17th ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the nephew of King Michu. He married Michu's daughter, Lady Boban. He is given the title Isageum, the same one borne by earlier rulers, in the Samguk Sagi; he is given the title Maripgan, borne by later rulers, in the...
. His mother was Lady Josaeng, the daughter of Nulji Isageum
Nulji of Silla
Nulji was the nineteenth king of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was the son of King Naemul and Lady Boban, who was the daughter of King Michu....
.
Jijeung began his program of legal reform in 502, when he outlawed the custom of burying servants with their masters. In 503, he formally established the country's name as "Silla," it having previously been represented by a variety of Chinese character
Chinese character
Chinese characters are logograms used in the writing of Chinese and Japanese , less frequently Korean , formerly Vietnamese , or other languages...
s. At the same time, he took the title of wang, meaning "king"; he had previously borne the native Silla title of maripgan.
Jijeung continued this program in the following years, with a reform of ceremonial dress in 504 and of local administration in 505. In that reform, he incorporated the old territory of Siljik-guk into the Silla administrative system. He established a market in eastern Gyeongju
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, covering with a population of 269,343 people according to the 2008 census. Gyeongju is southeast of Seoul, and east of the...
in 509. In 512, he sent Kim Isabu
Kim Isabu
Kim Isabu was a general and politician of Silla during the 6th century. He was also known as Taejong. He is best remembered today for his role in subjugating the island nation of Usan-guk which is known as the Liancourt Rocks or Dokdo Island today. Although frequently referred to as "Isabu", his...
to conquer the island nation of Usan-guk
Usan-guk
Usan-guk, or the State of Usan, occupied Ulleung-do and the adjacent islands during the Korean Three Kingdoms period. According to the Samguk Sagi, it was conquered by the Silla general Kim Isabu in 512. He is said to have used wooden lions or tigers to intimidate the residents into surrendering...
.
After his death, Jijeung received a temple name
Temple name
Temple names are commonly used when naming most Chinese, Korean , and Vietnamese royalty. They should not be confused with era names. Compared to posthumous names, the use of temple names is more exclusive...
, the name by which he is now known. He was the first Silla king to receive a temple name.